RICHMOND COUNTY — Week two of the middle school basketball season got underway Monday as local teams were looking to pad their records ahead of the extended holiday break.
Ellerbe teams swept by East Hoke
RAEFORD — The Ellerbe Middle School boys and girls basketball teams made the trek to East Hoke Middle School Monday, but both came up short to the Eagles.
The Lady Wildcats, coached by longtime coach Derek Anderson, opened their season last Thursday with an impressive win over Carver Middle School. But the Lady Eagles proved to be too much, as Ellerbe fell in a closely contested ball game, 34-30.
Both teams committed a plethora of fouls, as 52 total fouls were called in the game. Leading the way in scoring for Ellerbe (1-1) was eighth grader Layla Hayden, who dropped a season-high nine points. Hayden’s efforts were helped by fellow eighth graders Nyla Stroman (eight points), Curtia Crump (six points) and Chloe Nunn (five points). Lakeshia Little finished the game with two points.
In the boys’ game, the Wildcats had a hard time containing the Eagles, as Tommy Shelton’s team lost by a final score of 48-26. The Ellerbe boys are now 0-2 on the young season, and it was eighth grader Emoni McBride who netted a team-high eight points. Daquan Young chipped in six points, while Freddie Hill tallied four points in the loss.
The next time Ellerbe will be in action is Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, as both teams will travel to in-county opponent Rockingham Middle School. Girls tip off is schedule for 4 p.m., followed by the boys at 5 p.m.
Lady Rockets rout Carver while Rockets fall in overtime
LAURINBURG — Rockingham Middle School’s basketball teams were also in action for the second time this season, this time on the road at Carver Middle School.
Teresa Mason’s Lady Rockets had no problem with the Lady Eagles, as the girls’ team improved to 2-0 on the year with a 48-34 victory. Two Rockingham players impressed on the afternoon, as Jamyia Lindsey netted a team-high 18 points, with teammate Keyoni Nichols not far behind with 16 points of her own.
That duo combined for 34 of the team’s points, but Edriana Davis and Layla Morman each tacked on four points for Rockingham. Rounding out the scoring were Jasmine Jennings and C’Nedra and C’Niya Hinson, all of whom had two points.
The boys’ game was much closer, as head coach Julius Bowden’s Rockets overcame a 17-12 halftime deficit before falling to the Eagles in overtime. Rockingham (0-2) saw Carver extend its lead to 27-15, its largest lead of the afternoon, with 1:10 to go in the third quarter. But a 17-2 run by the Rockets gave the visiting team a 32-29 lead with under two minutes to go in regulation, but the slight lead wouldn’t hold.
Carver hit a layup and drained the and-one opportunity to tie the game in the final seconds. In the overtime period, the Eagles outscored Rockingham 11-7 to win 43-39.
Both Rockingham teams will return to action after the holiday break by hosting Ellerbe Middle School on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. Game times are scheduled for 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Note: Area middle school coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to email scores and game details to sports editor Kyle Pillar at kpillar@richmondobserver.com. Game information provided by Allen Adeimy, Julius Bowden and Teresa Mason.
